When Brett Lee came to the crease in the 12th over, the scoreboard showed 83 for 6. Anything less than 150 was unlikely to test a power-packed Trinidad & Tobago line-up. But just how were New South Wales going to get that far?

The answer lay with the baggy green, which jealous cynics suggest comes free with the Blues cap. How many times have you seen Australia dig themselves out of a hole, and win matches that they ought to have lost? Remember Andrew Symonds against Pakistan at the Wanderers in 2003? Michael Bevan and Andy Bichel against England at the same World Cup? Where other fancied teams fold like cheap napkins, these blokes revel in the odds being stacked against them. Australia may be a more genteel place now, but the Ned Kelly-bushranger spirit that Peter Carey wrote about so eloquently is alive and well.

Just a day ago, the Cape Cobras shelled catches and missed run-out chances galore in imitation of their national side in crunch games. NSW, by contrast, were perfect, taking stupendous catches - Lee and Moises Henriques - and scampering around to cut off what looked to be certain boundaries. Thanks to Lee and Steven Smith, who played his part with 33 and 2 for 32, they had a score to defend, and with the bowlers giving little away, dreams of Caribbean glory quickly faded.

Lee was colossal. Injuries may have reduced him to bit-part status in the Ashes but when he's fit and bowling with such pace and accuracy, there's no better limited-overs bowler. Even in a 50-over competition, his economy-rate of 3.76 would have been stupendous. The eight wickets at 9.87 were almost a bonus. Not content with making a mess of William Perkins' stumps, he took a sharp reflex catch to send back Lendl Simmons, and it was the chance he held at long-on as Kieron Pollard took to Nathan Hauritz that signalled the end of T&T's wonderful adventure.

But it was with the bat that his experience and maturity really told. With five overs left, NSW had just 103 on the board. Simmons had done a sterling job for his captain in the Umar Gul role right through the tournament, but when he came back for a second over, Lee went on the rampage. A six over square leg was followed by one over long-on, and then he stepped back and lashed one through cover.

Navin Stewart was then smacked over long-on for six, and though Smith fell to the reverse sweep, Lee clouted Sherwin Ganga over midwicket for another six. Within three overs, the run-kitty had swelled by 38. And in an eventful final over that saw Hauritz run out after Lee ducked under a bouncer from Ravi Rampaul, he thumped another six over long-on. By the time he carved the final ball into the hands of deep backward point to end the innings, T&T needed eight an over. In a final, that was never going to be easy.

"He [Lee] showed his true colours as an international today," said Daren Ganga later. "He came in with the team in a spot of bother and he applied himself. Then, with the new ball, he took crucial wickets. He was the outstanding performer, but they have a really good team spirit. It's hard when you lose wickets early, especially in a final. It puts the remaining batsmen under pressure, and we didn't handle it well tonight."

This has taken it to another level. To see the young guys flourish alongside experienced players like Brett, Stuey Clark and myself has been really rewarding.

Simon Katich on NSW's title victory

Lee tried to deflect attention from his own exploits, complimenting the bench strength and the young players who had stepped up to the mark so nervelessly. "For the youth in our side ... what this is going to do for their confidence," he said. "Any time you score runs while batting first, it boosts your confidence. They're a good side, but also very unpredictable. With runs on the board, we could go for the jugular."

With Smith having made runs, Simon Katich felt that he'd have the confidence to handle the new ball as well. When Adrian Barath drove and cut fours, and then lofted one over long-on for six, it appeared that the gamble might have failed, but a thin under-edge later, T&T were two down.

"We made mistakes tactically in that first game against Trinidad," said Katich. "We learnt from those. There's so much belief in the squad. Even when we were down and out, no one gave up."
Even when Pollard tried to ensure that lightning would strike twice, New South Wales held their nerve, and their catches. "That was the gutsiest ball we've ever seen," said Katich, of the one that Hauritz tossed up to Pollard. "To bowl that right after being hit some 150m into the stands for six..."

Two years ago, when he led the side to Pura Cup glory, Katich called it one of the proudest moments of his career. "This has taken it to another level," he said. "To see the young guys flourish alongside experienced players like Brett, Stuey Clark and myself has been really rewarding."

As he walked away from the press conference, Lee, who ended it with a shukriya [thank you] was heard joking that he needed plenty of thanda paani [cold water]. This after he'd already poured a gallon of it on T&T's Cinderella dream.

Well done, the NSW Blues! As an Australian, I was with you all the way (with the Vics). But THE team of the CLT20 is T&T. A dark horse's chance at best, T&T showed through their performance and flair what makes WIndies cricket totally unique. Undefeated, except in the final. C'mon WIndies, we need you in the world cricket arena! PLEASE, sort out your differences! Give our Aussie lads a good fight this summer with the very best you've got... don't worry... we'll give as good as we get! ;)

POSTED BY
axolotl
on | October 24, 2009, 11:26 GMT

Boonys_army: Please shut up. As an Aussie I find you as objectionable as everyone else. You don't speak for us !!! Also stop using Boon's name. He would consider you a total idiot. Be more like Brett Lee. He represents us properly. To all non-Oz readers, let me apologise for this ... , I suppose all countries have their share.
David from Melbourne

POSTED BY
boris6491
on | October 24, 2009, 9:01 GMT

Just goes to show why this man is still capable of performing. His economy rate this series was just unbelievable. He has to be a serious contender for the test side now and honestly, if he keeps bowling the way he is, it wont be long before hes back. Bing has been one of my favourite cricketers since he first stepped onto the field in 1999 and hes had his ups and downs but the most admirable thing about him is the way hes fought back. People said he was losing his pace, hes picked it up again being amongst the quickest in the world. They said he was ineffective, he proceeded to take wickets by the truckload. They told him he was inaccurate, he showed how deadly accurate he can be.They wrote him off, and he has shown again that he is still among the leading bowlers in the world. Congratulations on your performance Brett and hope to see some fireworks during the series against India!

POSTED BY
cnkodda
on | October 24, 2009, 7:20 GMT

australians once again showed their dominance in cricket,this time at club level...i mentioned once that all the teams should take aussies as an example rather than criticizing them...specially people like brett lee...it is hard to find such an all-rounder in the sub-continent....

POSTED BY
randy_ren
on | October 24, 2009, 7:17 GMT

Lee was simply superb throuh out the tournament,you have to feel for him coz he has to fight back for his spot in the aussie test team,he delivererd the goods when the blues tremendous pressure,the blues were always a tough group to beat.

POSTED BY
ChetanS
on | October 24, 2009, 4:44 GMT

Sorry for the TnT guys, but well done NSW, especially Lee and Clark. Now its to see hoe they do against India in the 7 ODI's.
I see a tough competition, fun to watch.

All the best India and Aus. for the ODI's.

POSTED BY
Avid.Cricket.Watcher
on | October 24, 2009, 4:13 GMT

Indomitable cricketer, and a very nice bloke. Brett Lee's all class.

POSTED BY
Quazar
on | October 24, 2009, 4:00 GMT

Brett Lee is such an admirable cricketer. My favourite Aussie cricketer for sure (and probably the most popular Aussie cricketer in India). He has talent, character, fighting spirit, and (most admirably for a top class cricketer) knows what it is to play in the right spirit. A real credit to our sport.

POSTED BY
novelw
on | October 24, 2009, 2:45 GMT

NSW did not play great..lucky this time cause of lee.I wonder if Moises is an all-star, why didnt they let him bowl! TT didnt get beat but beat themselves....In all reality, if TT played a cleaner game, they win. everybody knows that.

POSTED BY
zak123kaif
on | October 24, 2009, 2:36 GMT

Once again it showed that its not only the australian international team that does not know to crack under pressure,rather its the australian mindset that doesn't know what is it to give up before the match is over and their mind are just tailor made for big matches like these.Kudos to all of australian players.

POSTED BY
coeurlion
on | October 24, 2009, 11:54 GMT

Well done, the NSW Blues! As an Australian, I was with you all the way (with the Vics). But THE team of the CLT20 is T&T. A dark horse's chance at best, T&T showed through their performance and flair what makes WIndies cricket totally unique. Undefeated, except in the final. C'mon WIndies, we need you in the world cricket arena! PLEASE, sort out your differences! Give our Aussie lads a good fight this summer with the very best you've got... don't worry... we'll give as good as we get! ;)

POSTED BY
axolotl
on | October 24, 2009, 11:26 GMT

Boonys_army: Please shut up. As an Aussie I find you as objectionable as everyone else. You don't speak for us !!! Also stop using Boon's name. He would consider you a total idiot. Be more like Brett Lee. He represents us properly. To all non-Oz readers, let me apologise for this ... , I suppose all countries have their share.
David from Melbourne

POSTED BY
boris6491
on | October 24, 2009, 9:01 GMT

Just goes to show why this man is still capable of performing. His economy rate this series was just unbelievable. He has to be a serious contender for the test side now and honestly, if he keeps bowling the way he is, it wont be long before hes back. Bing has been one of my favourite cricketers since he first stepped onto the field in 1999 and hes had his ups and downs but the most admirable thing about him is the way hes fought back. People said he was losing his pace, hes picked it up again being amongst the quickest in the world. They said he was ineffective, he proceeded to take wickets by the truckload. They told him he was inaccurate, he showed how deadly accurate he can be.They wrote him off, and he has shown again that he is still among the leading bowlers in the world. Congratulations on your performance Brett and hope to see some fireworks during the series against India!

POSTED BY
cnkodda
on | October 24, 2009, 7:20 GMT

australians once again showed their dominance in cricket,this time at club level...i mentioned once that all the teams should take aussies as an example rather than criticizing them...specially people like brett lee...it is hard to find such an all-rounder in the sub-continent....

POSTED BY
randy_ren
on | October 24, 2009, 7:17 GMT

Lee was simply superb throuh out the tournament,you have to feel for him coz he has to fight back for his spot in the aussie test team,he delivererd the goods when the blues tremendous pressure,the blues were always a tough group to beat.

POSTED BY
ChetanS
on | October 24, 2009, 4:44 GMT

Sorry for the TnT guys, but well done NSW, especially Lee and Clark. Now its to see hoe they do against India in the 7 ODI's.
I see a tough competition, fun to watch.

All the best India and Aus. for the ODI's.

POSTED BY
Avid.Cricket.Watcher
on | October 24, 2009, 4:13 GMT

Indomitable cricketer, and a very nice bloke. Brett Lee's all class.

POSTED BY
Quazar
on | October 24, 2009, 4:00 GMT

Brett Lee is such an admirable cricketer. My favourite Aussie cricketer for sure (and probably the most popular Aussie cricketer in India). He has talent, character, fighting spirit, and (most admirably for a top class cricketer) knows what it is to play in the right spirit. A real credit to our sport.

POSTED BY
novelw
on | October 24, 2009, 2:45 GMT

NSW did not play great..lucky this time cause of lee.I wonder if Moises is an all-star, why didnt they let him bowl! TT didnt get beat but beat themselves....In all reality, if TT played a cleaner game, they win. everybody knows that.

POSTED BY
zak123kaif
on | October 24, 2009, 2:36 GMT

Once again it showed that its not only the australian international team that does not know to crack under pressure,rather its the australian mindset that doesn't know what is it to give up before the match is over and their mind are just tailor made for big matches like these.Kudos to all of australian players.

POSTED BY
Itchy
on | October 24, 2009, 2:08 GMT

Best thing about the tournament from NSW perspective is the performance of guys like Warner, Hughes, Henriques and the Smiths - guys like Lee, Clark & Jatich should stand up as they were senior members. Personally, I would keep Lee in the Aus for ODIs and T20 only.

POSTED BY
Bone101
on | October 23, 2009, 23:10 GMT

I've enjoyed this Champions Trophy. It has exactly what the IPL is missing, team spirit and pride that can't be just bought for $$$$. I also think it will raise the profile of first class cricket globally, which must be a good thing for the grass roots level of the game.
Well done to both T & T and NSW on being by far the best two teams in the tournament. Either team could have won.

POSTED BY
NZcampbell
on | October 23, 2009, 21:53 GMT

With regard to the 2003 world cup stuff, don't you mean Australia vs New Zealand? I may be wrong, but wasn't it Shane Bond's 6 wicket haul which left Australia crushed, and then Bevan came along and took them over 200 with a massive innings, which in turn proved to be way too much for NZ?

POSTED BY
TwitterJitter
on | October 23, 2009, 21:17 GMT

@Boonys_army- For every dollar that Australian board makes from champions league, Indian board makes two. They are a 50% shareholde remember? If anyone is headed for bankruptcy with champions league, it is the organizer, ESPN STAR. The ratings are so dismal that even Champions Trophy looks a ratings blockbuster compared to this. Hope this league is one and done! It is waste of time.

POSTED BY
rsgarcia
on | October 23, 2009, 21:13 GMT

Boonys_army way to show grace in victory. You have just shown why so many love to see the Aussies lose. As for the final, don't you find it a little sad that you are dancing all over a win over a tiny country like T&T? I think it's great that we made you sweat anyway. No, trophies don't automatically belong to Australia. Ask Pakistan. Congrats to NSW for a fine win. Let's hope you don't forget that in the end, it was tiny T&T that almost pulled the rug out from under you, and tiny T&T that made the tournament for everyone. And yes, a million or so is very handy. Thanks for ours, and thanks in advance for all the IPL contracts coming our way as creeky old Australian stars retire or underperform.

POSTED BY
Boonys_army
on | October 23, 2009, 20:14 GMT

If Lee is fit he should be wearing as many Aussies jerseys as we can throw at him.

Going into this final, everybody was backing T&T and writing off the Aussies. Naturally people always back the underdogs, or anyone playing an Australian side for that matter. People find as much Joy in an Aussie loss as they do in their own teams victory.... haha, cricket must be a bitter game for y'all. yet you all keep coming back for more punishment.

CLT20 is great, it just pads the Bank accounts of the Aussie state teams from the rich Indian market. 3 million every year or 2 is rather handy.

POSTED BY
kabubaku
on | October 23, 2009, 19:25 GMT

Brett Lee was simply superb! He exemplified everything that is great about australian cricket.

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
kabubaku
on | October 23, 2009, 19:25 GMT

Brett Lee was simply superb! He exemplified everything that is great about australian cricket.

POSTED BY
Boonys_army
on | October 23, 2009, 20:14 GMT

If Lee is fit he should be wearing as many Aussies jerseys as we can throw at him.

Going into this final, everybody was backing T&T and writing off the Aussies. Naturally people always back the underdogs, or anyone playing an Australian side for that matter. People find as much Joy in an Aussie loss as they do in their own teams victory.... haha, cricket must be a bitter game for y'all. yet you all keep coming back for more punishment.

CLT20 is great, it just pads the Bank accounts of the Aussie state teams from the rich Indian market. 3 million every year or 2 is rather handy.

POSTED BY
rsgarcia
on | October 23, 2009, 21:13 GMT

Boonys_army way to show grace in victory. You have just shown why so many love to see the Aussies lose. As for the final, don't you find it a little sad that you are dancing all over a win over a tiny country like T&T? I think it's great that we made you sweat anyway. No, trophies don't automatically belong to Australia. Ask Pakistan. Congrats to NSW for a fine win. Let's hope you don't forget that in the end, it was tiny T&T that almost pulled the rug out from under you, and tiny T&T that made the tournament for everyone. And yes, a million or so is very handy. Thanks for ours, and thanks in advance for all the IPL contracts coming our way as creeky old Australian stars retire or underperform.

POSTED BY
TwitterJitter
on | October 23, 2009, 21:17 GMT

@Boonys_army- For every dollar that Australian board makes from champions league, Indian board makes two. They are a 50% shareholde remember? If anyone is headed for bankruptcy with champions league, it is the organizer, ESPN STAR. The ratings are so dismal that even Champions Trophy looks a ratings blockbuster compared to this. Hope this league is one and done! It is waste of time.

POSTED BY
NZcampbell
on | October 23, 2009, 21:53 GMT

With regard to the 2003 world cup stuff, don't you mean Australia vs New Zealand? I may be wrong, but wasn't it Shane Bond's 6 wicket haul which left Australia crushed, and then Bevan came along and took them over 200 with a massive innings, which in turn proved to be way too much for NZ?

POSTED BY
Bone101
on | October 23, 2009, 23:10 GMT

I've enjoyed this Champions Trophy. It has exactly what the IPL is missing, team spirit and pride that can't be just bought for $$$$. I also think it will raise the profile of first class cricket globally, which must be a good thing for the grass roots level of the game.
Well done to both T & T and NSW on being by far the best two teams in the tournament. Either team could have won.

POSTED BY
Itchy
on | October 24, 2009, 2:08 GMT

Best thing about the tournament from NSW perspective is the performance of guys like Warner, Hughes, Henriques and the Smiths - guys like Lee, Clark & Jatich should stand up as they were senior members. Personally, I would keep Lee in the Aus for ODIs and T20 only.

POSTED BY
zak123kaif
on | October 24, 2009, 2:36 GMT

Once again it showed that its not only the australian international team that does not know to crack under pressure,rather its the australian mindset that doesn't know what is it to give up before the match is over and their mind are just tailor made for big matches like these.Kudos to all of australian players.

POSTED BY
novelw
on | October 24, 2009, 2:45 GMT

NSW did not play great..lucky this time cause of lee.I wonder if Moises is an all-star, why didnt they let him bowl! TT didnt get beat but beat themselves....In all reality, if TT played a cleaner game, they win. everybody knows that.

POSTED BY
Quazar
on | October 24, 2009, 4:00 GMT

Brett Lee is such an admirable cricketer. My favourite Aussie cricketer for sure (and probably the most popular Aussie cricketer in India). He has talent, character, fighting spirit, and (most admirably for a top class cricketer) knows what it is to play in the right spirit. A real credit to our sport.